Cold smoke

Cold day out in Elkford today with -17 and light southwest wind at ridge top 🥶 Though we were pleasantly surprised to find about 45 cm of soft snow, total, from the last couple of storms. Which is sitting on top of small facets and then firmer snow below. The facets failed in our snowpack tests on isolation and in the moderate range (Extended column test propagated on 12th hit) indication that this layer is unstable. However, we didn't see any cracking, whumpfing, or recent natural avalanches while traveling up or down. Riding quality was amazing! Both sledding and skiing. Still... early season snow snakes were lurking and ready to strike.